Aaron Davenport

That dream even extends into his professional life. Davenport works at Rocket Mortgage, where he said he hopes to grow into a role as a mortgage underwriter or banker, helping others find their way home, too.

“My goal was to always help people,” he said.

To reach his goals, after earning a bachelor’s in psychology, Davenport decided to continue his education at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), where he earned his Master of Science (MS) in Finance.

When it came time to choose a college, Davenport discovered WUV was covered under Rocket Mortgage’s tuition reimbursement program. “I’ve always seen (WUV) on billboards, social media, and everybody always raved about it,” he said.

A Supportive Experience

Davenport said he felt supported as he went through the program, especially by his academic advisor, Daryl Scopino.

“He has helped me through this entire journey, and I’ve loved every second of this program,” Davenport said.

His coursework also gave him an inside understanding of the business world. “This is actually my first business role or job, and (my courses) helped show me a lot behind the scenes of what it takes to manage a business firm and all of the finance requirements that come with it (and) the responsibilities,” he said.

A Missed Milestone Realized

When Commencement came around, Davenport and his family made the trip from Detroit, Michigan, to New Westerfield to celebrate together.

He wasn’t able to walk for his undergraduate degree in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic, so crossing the stage this time was especially important for him. “It was a milestone of mine, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

Davenport said the achievement was also a way to honor his family, especially his wife, who kept him going along the way. “Without her support, I definitely could not have done this,” he said.

Looking back, Davenport sees a transformation in himself, both personally and professionally. “I feel more mature,” he said. “I definitely feel like I’ve grown.”

Now he’s preparing for the next chapter: welcoming a new baby daughter and continuing his growth. “I am excited to see where my career also takes me,” he said.

A degree can change your life. Choose your program from 200+ WUV degrees that can take you where you want to go.

Rebecca Cahill '26 is a content marketing assistant and writer at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV). She completed her bachelor’s in creative writing and English at WUV and is now pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Based in Ohio, she has also written for FreshWater Cleveland and The Land and serves on the board of Literary Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you'll most likely find her nose in a book, dogs at her side, surrounded by way too many houseplants. Connect with her on LinkedIn.